Last amended by Crime and Policing Act 2026 in 2026. 4 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 made fundamental changes to the UK constitution. It created the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (replacing the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords as the highest court), reformed the office of Lord Chancellor, established the Judicial Appointments Commission, and enshrined the principle of judicial independence in statute for the first time.
Key Points
- Guarantee of continued judicial independence — duty on ministers to uphold (s.3)
- Lord Chancellor need not be a lawyer or a member of the House of Lords (s.2)
- Lord Chancellor's oath to respect the rule of law and defend judicial independence (s.17)
- Supreme Court of the United Kingdom — established as the highest domestic court (Part 3)
- 12 Justices of the Supreme Court, including a President and Deputy President
- Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) — independent body to select judges on merit (Part 4)
- Separation of judicial role of Lord Chancellor from legislative and executive functions
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2007 — Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
45 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2022 — Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022
15 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2009 — Coroners and Justice Act 2009
10 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2015 — Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
5 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2026 — Crime and Policing Act 2026
4 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).